Occupational Health news in brief: December

The level of bullying at work is still too high, and employers stand accused of failing to tackle the issue effectively, according to a report published to coincide with Ban Bullying at Work Day. The Bullying at work: the experience of managers study, published by the Chartered Management Institute, suggests poor management skills lie at the heart of the problem, which is estimated to cost the UK economy £13.75bn a year.Personnel Today, 7 November

Downturn will increase manager stress levels

Line managers will come under increased stress and pressure during the economic downturn, affecting their teams’ productivity, an expert warned. Penny de Valk, chief executive of the Institute of Leadership and Management, said: “This recession will increase managers’ workloads and put more pressure on them, which will in turn cause excess stress.”Personnel Today, 4 November

Sainsbury’s health NVQ

Supermarket giant Sainsbury’s is offering its 150,000-strong workforce the chance to gain formal qualifications in stock-control and health and safety. The retailer has joined forces with awarding body EDI to offer an NVQ Level 2 qualification – equivalent to five GCSEs at A-C grade.Personnel Today, 10 November

Absence underestimated

Most employers underestimate absence levels by almost 20%, experts have claimed. An absence management tool from the private healthcare division of insurance firm AXA ICAS was trialled on 1,600 of its staff, resulting in a drop in absence rates to 3.6% and a saving of more than £14,000 per month. Personnel Today, 29 October